Abstract/Summary

The genome of Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) was inserted into a bacmid (Sfbac) and used to produce a mutant lacking open reading frame 29. Sf29null bacmid DNA was able to generate an infection in S. frugiperda. Approximately six times less DNA was present in occlusion bodies (OBs) produced by the Sf29null bacmid in comparison to viruses containing this gene. This reduction in DNA content was consistent with fewer virus particles being packaged within Sf29null bacmid OBs, as determined by fractionation of dissolved polyhedra and comparison of occlusion-derived virus (ODV) infectivity in cell culture. DNA from Sfbac, Sf29null bacmid or Sf29null-repair in which the gene deletion had been repaired were equally infectious when used to transfect S. frugiperda. All three viruses produced similar numbers of OBs, although those from Sf29null were 10-fold less infectious than viruses with the gene. Insects infected with Sf29null bacmid died ~24 hours later than positive controls, consistent with the reduced virus particle content of Sf29null OBs. Transcripts of Sf29 were detected in infected insects 12 hours prior to those from the polyhedrin gene. Homologues to Sf29 were present in other group II NPVs and similar sequences in entomopoxviruses. Analysis of the Sf29 predicted protein sequence revealed signal peptide and transmembrane domains, but 12 potential N-glycosylation sites suggest that it is not an ODV envelope protein. Other motifs including zinc-binding and threonine-rich regions suggest degradation and adhesion functions. We conclude that Sf29 is a viral factor that determines the number of ODVs occluded in each OB.